🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Autumn tonification is also very important. Firstly, during the hot summer months, people's physical and mental energy are greatly consumed, making their bodies relatively weak. Secondly, autumn weather is dry, easily damaging the body's yin fluids. Therefore, attention should still be paid to tonification in autumn, with the basic principle being moistening and nourishing, avoiding depletion. Thus, the saying "nourish yin in autumn and winter" applies. Commonly used tonics include:
American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius): Also known as Huachiquan, it is mainly produced in the United States and Canada. When cultivated in China, it is called "seed ginseng" or "seed American ginseng." The root is used medicinally and is a valuable herb. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, American ginseng has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, is cool in nature, and enters the Heart, Lung, and Kidney meridians. Its functions include replenishing qi and nourishing yin, clearing heat, and generating body fluids. It is an excellent tonic for clearing and nourishing health. Since the Qing Dynasty, numerous medical texts have recorded its benefits. For example, *Bencao Congxin* states: "It replenishes the lungs, reduces fire, generates body fluids, relieves irritability and fatigue; suitable for those with deficiency and internal heat." Another entry in *Bencao Congxin* says: "It consolidates essence and calms the spirit." Modern pharmacological literature, such as *Zhongyao Dacidian*, describes its effects as "benefiting lung yin and clearing lung fire."
From the above, the main functions of American ginseng are twofold: first, it can treat symptoms caused by qi and yin deficiency, such as shortness of breath, dry mouth and thirst, and fatigue, or symptoms due to lung yin deficiency, such as dry throat, hoarseness, and dry cough—because American ginseng replenishes qi and nourishes yin. Second, it can be used for yin deficiency fever characterized by afternoon fevers that persist over time, or chronic coughing, hemoptysis, and scant phlegm. It is also effective for conditions arising from damage to qi and yin during high fever illnesses, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, thirst, and weak pulse—because American ginseng nourishes yin and clears heat. Additionally, it should be noted that American ginseng is cool and nourishing in nature. Those who cannot tolerate the warmth of regular ginseng may use this instead, especially in autumn, when American ginseng is considered ideal.
Salviae Radix (Shashen): There are southern and northern varieties, both having similar functions in clearing and nourishing the lungs and stomach. Northern Salviae Radix is sweet, bitter, bland, and cool, with strong yin-nourishing effects; southern Salviae Radix is sweet, slightly bitter, and cool, with similar but slightly weaker effects.
Salviae Radix is a clear and nourishing health tonic commonly used for tonification. As stated in *Shennong Bencao Jing*: "It supplements the middle energizer and benefits vital energy"; *Mingyi Bie Lu* notes: "It stabilizes the five zang organs; long-term use benefits the body... promotes muscle growth." *Zhongyao Dacidian* summarizes its health benefits as "nourishing yin and clearing the lungs." Thus, it is often used for conditions involving lung and stomach yin deficiency. When used, it is typically decocted and taken orally, 10–15 grams per dose.
Euryale Seed (Qianshi): Also known as "chicken head rice," it is the mature seed of the lotus plant (*Euryale ferox*). Commonly oval-shaped, about the size of green beans, white and clean, easy to cook soft. It has a sweet and astringent taste, neutral in nature, and functions to strengthen the spleen and stomach, nourish the kidneys, and solidify essence. Traditional Chinese medicine considers Euryale Seed anti-aging and particularly beneficial for the spleen and stomach. As stated in *Shennong Bencao Jing*: "It supplements the middle energizer... enhances vital essence, strengthens willpower, makes ears and eyes sharp, and long-term use lightens the body and prevents hunger, prolonging old age." Modern research shows that Euryale Seed contains abundant carbohydrates, proteins, fats, various vitamins, and trace elements—all essential for maintaining human health, confirming its status as an excellent health tonic. The great Song Dynasty scholar Su Dongpo remained physically robust, ruddy-faced, and mentally agile into old age. He attributed his vitality to decades of daily consumption of boiled Euryale Seed, which kept his legs strong and walking powerful. The rationale for eating Euryale Seed in autumn lies in its ability to restore spleen and stomach function weakened by the summer heat. Once the spleen and stomach are strengthened, the body can better absorb tonics or hard-to-digest supplements, thus benefiting health without harm.
Polygonatum (Yuzhu): Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, it nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, and benefits the stomach by generating fluids—making it an excellent tonic for nourishing yin and generating fluids. It works effectively even when used alone; for example, *Wai Tai Mi Yao* recommends boiling 150 grams of Polygonatum and drinking the decoction for treating yin deficiency fever, dry mouth, and short, difficult urination.
Asparagus (Tian Dong): Sweet and bitter in taste, cold in nature, it clears the lungs, reduces fire, nourishes yin, and moistens dryness. *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: "Long-term use lightens the body, increases vital energy, and prolongs life." *Ri Hua Zi Bencao* says: "Moistens the five zang organs, benefits skin and muscles, improves complexion, and treats five labors and seven injuries." This also indicates that Tian Dong has moisturizing, beautifying, and health-promoting effects. It is effective even when used alone; for instance, *Yinshan Zhengfa* describes Tianmen Dong Gao—a paste made by crushing fresh Asparagus and boiling it down—taken at one tablespoon each morning and evening on an empty stomach with warm wine, offering benefits for increasing vital energy and prolonging life. Modern studies show that Asparagus root contains asparagine (aspartic amide), mucilage, beta-sitosterol, and 5-methoxy-2-furaldehyde, with bitter components being steroidal saponins. Its pharmacological actions include antibacterial and antitumor effects.
Besides these herbs, certain traditional Chinese medicines can also be taken in autumn, including:
Huangjing Tangjiang: Main ingredients are Huangjing (Polygonatum), Yimi Ren (Coix seed), and Nan Sha Shen (Southern Salviae Radix). Functions include strengthening the spleen, nourishing the lungs, generating fluids, enhancing kidney and stomach function. Effective for lung deficiency cough, spleen-kidney weakness with frequent lower back and knee soreness, and general fatigue. Take three times daily, 20 ml each time.
Fufang Fengru: Mainly composed of Taizi Shen (Prince Ginseng), Dangshen (Codonopsis), Zhi Shouwu (Processed Fo-Ti), Gouqizi (Goji Berry), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), and Danggui (Angelica). An excellent nutritional tonic, it replenishes qi and blood, nourishes yin and moistens the lungs, benefits the liver and strengthens the kidneys, and aids digestion and fluid generation. Indicated for qi deficiency, blood deficiency, lung and kidney insufficiency, physical weakness, poor appetite, neurasthenia, chronic hepatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Take 5 ml every morning on an empty stomach, mixed with warm water. Each ml contains 40 mg fresh royal jelly.
Xuehaishenjing: Contains 30% snow frog oil, 50% ginseng, and 20% ginseng syrup. This product selects premium ginseng from Jilin Changbai Mountains, extracts its essence, combines it with rare hibernating summer dwelling frog oil, and uses modern scientific extraction methods to produce a high-grade tonic oral liquid. Functions include nourishing the lungs, replenishing deficiency, enriching blood, improving complexion, building muscle, and promoting development. Used for neurasthenia, post-illness weakness, lung deficiency cough, general debility, and blood and qi imbalance. Take one vial (10 ml) upon waking and before bedtime.
Fufang Taidu Pian: Main ingredients are placenta powder (16 liang), Dangshen and Huangqi (Astragalus) each 200 grams, Chenpi (tangerine peel) and Maima (barley sprout) each 50 grams. Functions include replenishing qi and blood, suitable for blood deficiency dizziness, fatigue, and weakness. Take three times daily, four tablets each time, with warm water.
Renshen Jianpi Wan: Mainly composed of Dangshen, Baizhu (Atractylodes), Chenpi (tangerine peel), Maima (barley sprout) each 100 grams, Zhishi (Citrus aurantium), Liuxiao (Fermented Medicinal Rice) each 150 grams, and Shan Zha (Hawthorn) 1.5 liang. Functions include strengthening the spleen and aiding digestion. Treats indigestion, fullness, bloating, and lack of appetite due to spleen and stomach weakness. Take twice daily, 15 grams each time, with warm water.
Shengmai Yin: Mainly composed of Ren Shen (Ginseng), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), and Wuwei Zi (Schisandra). Functions include replenishing qi and generating fluids, treating fatigue, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, palpitations, dry mouth, and qi deficiency-induced cough. Oral ampoule form, 10 ml per ampoule, take three times daily.
Yuling Gao: Made from 30 grams dragon eye flesh, 3 grams American ginseng, and 3 grams sugar, steamed in a porcelain bowl into a paste. Functions include greatly replenishing qi and blood, surpassing ginseng and astragalus. Suitable for all with heart and spleen deficiency, qi and blood insufficiency, and general weakness. Take one spoonful with warm water.
These various traditional Chinese medicines can be selected in autumn to eliminate the invasion of dry heat pathogens, even if no signs of fluid injury like dry mouth or dry tongue are present. However, since most yin-nourishing herbs are thick and greasy, those with weak spleen and stomach should first regulate their digestive system.